Kamukunji Fire Displaces 200, Destroys Livelihoods—Government Promises Swift Aid

Nairobi, Kenya – July 16:

More than 200 residents were left homeless and at least 70 traders lost their livelihoods after a devastating fire swept through Kasilili Village in Kamukunji late Sunday night. The blaze razed homes and destroyed dozens of market stalls, sending shockwaves through the tight-knit community.

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, who toured the scene on Tuesday, announced that the State Department for Special Programmes will deliver immediate emergency assistance, including tents, food, and bedding. He also pledged longer-term interventions to address the chronic vulnerability of informal settlements to fire disasters.

“This is an emergency, but not just a one-time response. We must put in place sustainable measures to protect lives and livelihoods in these communities,” said CS Ruku.

Among the hardest hit is Urbanus Wambua, a trader who has run his kiosk for over 12 years. He estimates his stock losses to be worth hundreds of thousands of shillings.

“I had good stock in my kiosk, and now all that remains are charred iron sheets,” he said, standing beside the ashes of his stall.

Authorities confirmed that no fatalities or serious injuries were reported—a narrow escape considering the fire’s intensity and the area’s density.

“We were lucky no one was killed,” Ruku noted.

The inferno destroyed over 20 small businesses, leaving traders with no workspace overnight. Residents now face the grim task of rebuilding from scratch.

The incident has once again cast a spotlight on the urgent need for fire safety infrastructure in Nairobi’s informal neighborhoods. Local leaders and residents are calling for accessible water points, improved roads for fire response, and training on disaster preparedness.

The State Department said it will continue engaging with the affected community to restore livelihoods and bolster safeguards against future incidents.